Publication Date: Wednesday, April 13, 2005
Promoting choices for women
Promoting choices for women
(April 13, 2005) Symposium to tackle myriad of issue
by Carol Palinkas
A more holistic and female-centered approach to health care is causing women to rethink what constitutes health and well-being.
In response to this growing demand for better care, the Palo Alto Adult School and Palo Alto Medical Foundation have put together a day-long symposium called "Health Choices from a Woman's Perspective."
From the physical benefits of forgiveness to the stresses of being a caregiver to the risks of heart disease, the symposium hits on some of the hottest mental and physical well-being issues women grapple with in a fast-paced society that forces them to juggle multiple priorities.
Women are postponing giving birth to pursue advanced degrees and careers. At the other end of the spectrum, more and more women are finding themselves in the "sandwich generation" -- taking care of children and households, holding down careers, and caring for elderly parents. Currently 22.4 million households are caring for older adults, and women are the caregivers in 59 to 75 percent of those households.
"The fastest growing segment of the population is 85 plus," said Diane Wilson, M.D., of Avenidas Senior Center. "Since women are the majority of the caregivers, there will be more women taking care of this older population."
Wilson will be giving a talk entitled "Caring for Myself While Taking Care of Others," in which she'll offer ways to counteract the negative aspects in terms of how caregivers can avoid burnout, set limits, relieve stress and gain outside support.
Wilson noted that caregivers have higher levels of depression, anxiety and other mental health challenges and are six times more likely to suffer illness. The likelihood of coronary heart disease doubles when a caregiver takes care of someone more than nine hours a week.
Heart disease is a real health issue for many women, who are often unaware they are at risk. In "The Heart of a Woman," Meg Durbin, MD, will explain the differences in symptoms among men and women, as well as risk factors. Durbin said that most women don't identify heart disease as the major killer.
Another major health concern: Good eating habits. Gina Earle, LCSW, explains how powerful outside forces -- as well as physiology -- can affect our weight far more than previously thought. She will explore how hormones affect our eating habits -- as well as the political aspects of advertising -- offering research on the effect of newly discovered hormones that give powerful messages to eat, often in ways that are not necessarily healthy.
"Many women feel it's a flaw in their own character or their fault in some way that they have trouble with eating," Earl said.
She will also speak on the political aspects of food advertising.
"The country produces 3,800 calories of food per person per day, and humans only need 1,500 -- we use advertising to try and sell those extra calories. The average American child sees 10,000 commercials for food in a year.
In the emotional well-being section of the symposium, two speakers will discuss relationship-related topics.
Dr. Fred Luskin will start off the symposium with a keynote speech on the benefits of forgiveness.
Luskin's studies from the Stanford Forgiveness Project show that forgiveness has unexpected physical and emotional benefits.
"The research has been almost uniformly positive as to its effects," he said, adding that forgiveness can lower blood pressure, reduce stress and make people more optimistic and less angry.
Linda Miller will present 30 years worth of research on what it takes to maintain a satisfying, long-term relationship.
Her discussion is based on studies begun in 1975 involving 677 couples. They were observed, videotaped, questioned and monitored for physiological changes over long periods of time.
The results will debunk some of the current myths on the subject of a healthy relationship, such as the common misconception that communication is essential to a successful marriage.
"Most marital conflict - 69 percent - is not resolvable," Miller said, "and so in long-term satisfying marriages, couples have developed ways of working with unresolvable conflict between them that doesn't damage the relationship."
Space is limited for the seminars, and pre-registration is recommended. Carol Palinkas is an intern at the Palo Alto Weekly.
What: Health Choices from a Woman's Perspective.
When: Saturday, April 16, 2005, 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Where: Palo Alto High School, 50 Embarcadero Road, Palo Alto.
Cost: $25 admission (includes continental breakfast and box lunch).
Info: Adult School Web site: www.paaadultschool.org.
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